Obomanu Getting Ready for Dawgs

Mark Murphy

11/09/2005

Ben Obomanu and the Tigers are getting ready to face the Georgia Bulldogs.

Auburn, Ala.--Senior wide receiver Ben Obomanu had a rough weekend in Lexington, but says he is physically ready to play again and excited about Saturday night's big SEC showdown game vs. the Georgia Bulldogs.

Obomanu took a blow to the back of his helmet that forced him to leave the game on Saturday as his Tigers outscored Kentucky 49-27. Later in the game, he was kicked in the leg and didn't return after that.

"I believe Georgia is going to give us a pretty good game," the wide receiver says. "Both teams are in a similar position where we are trying to get back to the SEC Championship Game.

"I believe they are going to come out and fight hard, especially after the last game they had a loss against Florida," Obomanu adds. "Also, they had an off-week to sit around and think about that loss. I think they are going to give us a pretty good shot and at the same time we are going to give them our best shot as well."

Both teams take 5-1 conference marks into the contest. Auburn is 7-2 overall, the Bulldogs are 7-1. Georgia can clinch the SEC East title and a spot in the league championship game with a victory. Auburn can stay alive in its quest to win the SEC West with a victory vs. the ninth-ranked Bulldogs.

Obomanu says that Georgia's veteran secondary will be a test for the Auburn receivers and quarterback Brandon Cox. Cornerbacks DeMario Minter and Tim Jennings are seniors as is free safety Greg Blue.

"Their secondary is very straight," he says. "Our coaches emphasized to us that we need to go in and watch their technique on film so we will have a good idea of what they will bring to the table. These guys have been in situations where they have been counted on and made some tremendous plays. We want to make sure we are on top of our game so we can compete at the same level they are going to play at."

Commenting on Auburn sophomore quarterback Brandon Cox, Obomanu says the first-year starter is improving. "I believe he is getting more and more comfortable. I believe at the beginning of the year, around the Georgia Tech game, the offensive linemen and receivers were trying to rally around him and take some of the pressure off of him. I think the difference now is he accepts more of the leadership role as the quarterback.

"He is more relaxed right now," Obomanu adds. "My sense is he is more relaxed in the huddle and in practice. Before the games, he is more relaxed."

Kickoff for the Georgia game is 6:45 p.m. CST in Athens, Ga., and the game will be televised by ESPN. "The players talk about it that games like this are a great chance to showcase our talent," the senior says. "We played a couple of games that haven't been televised at all and now we are playing another nationally televised game. It is another opportunity for us to be able to go out and solidify ourselves as one of the best teams in the country."